Convertible hand-car



Patented Sept. 6, I898..

No. 6l0,297.

P. ARMSTRONG. CONVERTIBLE HAND GAB.

(Application filed May 26, 1897.) (N o M o d e l amva/vwoz NITED STATESATENT Prion.

CONVERTIBLE HAN D- CAR.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 610,297, datedSeptember 6, 18981 Application filed May 26, 1897. Serial No 638,253.(No model.)

To all, whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, PETER ARMSTRONG, of Kankakee, in the countyofKankakee and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in Convertible Hand-Cars; and I do hereby declare thefollowing to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention,such as will enable others skilled in theart to which it appertains tomake and use the same.

This invention relates to cars of that class used to convey workmen andmaterials from one place to another.

The invention consists of the details of construction and arrangement ofthe several parts, which will be more fully hereinafter described andclaimed.

The object of the invention is to provide a convertible device of thecharacter set forth wherein the parts are simple and efiective in 1their construction and operation, strong and durable, easily and readilyapplied to cars now in use, and comparatively inexpensive in the cost ofmanufacture.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of a carembodying the invention. Fig. 2 is a bottomplan view of the same. Fig. 3is a detail perspective view of the clutch mechanism and operating partsin connection therewith.

Referring to the drawings, wherein similar numerals of reference areemployed to indicate corresponding parts in the several views, thenumeral 1 designates a platform or bed having cross-braces 2 onthe'under side thereof, to which are secured stringers 3. The platformor bed will be constructed in any suitable form and is adapted to carrymaterial or operators, and engaging a portion of the said stringers atthe front and rear are axles and wheels 4 of the usual form. On one ofthe axles is keyed a pinion 5, meshing with a gear-wheel 6, supported ona part of a crank 7, having bearings .in' journal-boxes mounted on aportion of the stringers. Secured to the said crank is one end of apitman 8, and to the opposite end of said pitman is attached the freeend of a clutch-lever 9. Said clutch-lever 9 is movably mouuted on arock or other suitable shaft 10, to which is fixed the recessedclutch-collar 11, and in connection with the said clutch-lever and alsomoving on thesaid shaft is a clutch-head 12, with an angular projection'13, adapted to be moved into the recess of the clutch-collar 11. Aforked end 14 of a shifting lever 15 engages the clutch-lever 9, saidshifting lever being fulcrumed at a suitable point and having its freeend extending outwardly to engage opposite stop-shoulders or seats 16 toretain it in adjusted position. On the opposite ends of the shaft 10 thelower ends of the arms 17 are secured, being bent or primarily formed topass around the opposite edges of the platform to prevent contact withthe latter and having'at the upper ends bifurcations 18 to formsupplemental arms 19, one of which is longer than the other, andconnected to the said arms'19 are hand-bars 20, which will be therebyarranged at varying elevations. This formation of the arms 19 and theconsequent positioning of the hand-bars 20 providesa convenient meansfor engaging the bars and forms means for operating the lever fromeither side and makes it convenient to easily the gear 6, which in turnwill rotate the shaft or axle 4, carrying the pinion 5. When the car isat rest or if it is'desired to use it as an ordinary push-car, the lever15 is operated to separate the clutch-head from the clutchcollar, andthe arms 17 with the handle-bars 20, are turned over the opposite sidesof the car below the upper surface thereof. When the parts are thusarranged, the car can be moved and the clutch-head and clutch-lever willoscillate on the shaft 10 loosely, as will be understood. v

The attachments are also arranged so as to be easily applied to cars ofthis character now in use without in the least changing theconstruction, with the exception of applicashaft, a clutch-collarrigidly secured to said shaft, a clutch-head to cooperate with theclutch-collar, a clutch-lever rigidly connected with the clutch-head foroperating a pitman, and arms or levers rigidly connected with theopposite ends of the shaft arranged to pass outside the edges of theplatform, and a shifting lever for throwing the parts of the clutch outof engagement with each other, substantially as described.

2. In a hand-car, the combination of a rockshaft, a clutch-collarrigidly secured thereto, a clutch-head loosely mounted upon the shaft toengage the collar, a clutch-lever securely fixed to the clutch-head foroperating drivinggear through a pitman, arms or handles for rocking theshaft, and means for throwing the parts of the clutch into and out ofengagement, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have signed this specification in the presence oftwo subscribing witnesses.

PETER ARMSTRONG.

Witnesses:

D. F. SEYSTER, O. O. MARSH.

